Ds (3) is Alfie and Annie Rose mad. Any similar books you can recommend?

[deaconblue]

We have Dogger and several other Shirley Hughes books. Looking for something with similarly super pictures and stories that seem to reflect under 5's lives.

[HairyMuff]

Sorry I don't know but I share your DS's enthusiasm for Shirley Hughes. I love 'em, they're great. I think there's one called The Snow Lady, thats nice.

My DC's are too old for them now though , in fact can I borrow your DS some time and read them too him, be nice to have a willing audience ?

[mrsmaidamess]

My ds always liked 'Foxy ' books. 'Foxy and the spots' 'Foxy bakes a cake'. They are simpler than Annie Rose but still sweet.

[giraffescantdancethetango]

Oh I loved those books as a child.

[HairyMuff]

Oh just thought the Mog books are quite nicely told and lovely illustrations here

[LadyG]

Do you have My Naughty Little Sister? Illustrated by Shirley Hughes.
Ds aged 3 loving it (esp as he also has a naughty baby sister).

[GingerIgnoramus]

Topsy and tim!!! mine had them till they were about6 on and off

[kathyis6incheshigh]

There are some nice books by Posy Simmonds which have beautifully observed pictures of pre-schoolers - Lulu and the Flying Babies, The Chocolate Wedding, Fred.

Naughty Little Sister also v popular in our house.

[Laugs]

I love Shirley Hughes too. I think my DD may enjoy them so much as I clearly love cuddling up with her and put a lot of effort into reading them, unlike something like Thomas the Tank Engine, which I can't wait to end.

Have you read Astrid Lingren's Bullerby Children books? They have the same focus on children's every day life and lovely illustrations too (though I think SH is in a world of her own there). The children are a little bit older, but I don't know if that matters too much.

I was going to suggest Christmas at Bullerby as a lovely Christmas present, but see it is out of print. What a shame!

I'll be watching this thread for more suggestions too.

[Laugs]

We Are Wearing Out the Naughty Step has also gone down very well in this house. (With me too)

[theyoungvisiter]

oh I love them too! And I love Shirley Hughes, those books basically are my childhood, all those little children in brown sandals and dungarees [sniff]

I remember from my childhood the "my naughty little sister" series being similar, but I have never seen those books around for DS1, so I don't know if they are out of print.

Also the Church Mice series - although about animals, obv , but a similar illustration style.

[theyoungvisiter]

oh, sorry, just realised Ladyg got there before me with My Naughty Little Sister.

There's also another series Shirley Hughes did about an older sister and a younger brother. I can't remember what they're called - Sophie maybe? There's a nice one about Christmas at their house.

[cookielove]

alfie gets in first?

[Laugs]

Lucy and Tom's Christmas! (the exclamation mark is mine, I'm just excited ) I reclaimed this from my parents' basement to read to DD this Christmas. It is probably very sad that I couldn't wait and have read it to myself already.

[theyoungvisiter]

Oh, of COURSE Laugs [smacks head]

I love that book, it makes me feel all toasty, especially the bit in the kitchen making mince pies

[Laugs]

Yes, it IS Christmas.

[Laugs]

Amazingly, it seems to be out of print too (or at least not on Amazon). What is the world coming to?

[theyoungvisiter]

our library has a copy. I may have to put in an advance reservation for December 1st.

[Laugs]

Yeah, make some homemade Christmas decorations with DS, drink hot chocolate (preferably having come in from the snow so your cheeks are rosy) and cuddle up with Lucy and Tom. I'm always so disappointed when life strays from the Shirley Hughes fantasy

I'm off to bed with the Bullerby collection for a bit of reminiscing.

[MilaMae]

The Jools Oliver book is v similar,gorgeous pics,very Cath Kidston. Old fashioned stories.